OPMH E Gram (Feb 17, 2008)

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Morning Services (8:30 and 11:00 am)

Scripture

Genesis 12:1-4a

John 3:1-17

Sermon

Leaving Home — Dr. Laha

Hymns

The God of Abraham Praise

In the Cross of Christ I Glory

I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes

If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee

Other Special Music

Prelude:                      If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee – Joh L. Krebs (1713-1780)

Introit:                         God so loved the world – John Stainer (1840-1901)

Anthem:                      If You But Trust in God to Guide You – David Cherwien (b. 1957)

Offertory:                    If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee – J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Postlude:                     If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee – D. Buxtehude (1637-1707)

Coffee Hour: Join us in Fellowship Hall after the 11:00 am service. The host this week is the National/Global/Workcamps Committee.

Christian Education.

Children’s Education: This Sunday, our elementary children continue a series of workshops learning about the Lord’s Prayer. We say it every week but do we understand what it means? Check the board in the Education Bulding for grade assignments.

Adult Education

Westminster Hall: The Gospel of Matthew, this Bible study continues this Sunday through March 16. It is an in-depth study of the second part of the Gospel of Matthew (Ch 17-28). Lee Posey, Tom Roberts and Hal Collums will serve as facilitators during the spring term.

Heritage Hall: Invisible Children – How War Affects Children Around the World, led by our Senior Highs. Included will be a discussion with Saji Prelis, Associate Director of American University’s Peace Building and Development Institute and Executive Director of the Center for Peace Building International.

Next Sunday a new adult education class begins in Heritage Hall. Dr. William Phillippe will lead a three week series “The Bible of Jesus --- what we call the Old Testament”. These were the scriptures Jesus knew so well and upon which he based his teachings. This survey will trace the changing thoughts of our mothers and fathers in the faith as they attempted to understand who this desert God called Yahweh really was.

Fellowship Hall: Making A Home for Faith.  This series, led by Priscilla Andre-Colton, D.C.E., will explore ways parents can nurture faith with their children. The class meets through Feb. 24. This class will not meet this Sunday so everyone may attend the Invisible Children program let by our Senior Highs, and will conclude on Feb 24.

Wednesday Night Bible Study: Joshua, Judges, Ruth. Meets Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 pm beginning Jan. 9.in Flounder 1b. Join us for this weekly Bible study, as we dig deeper into the Scripture, and listen for how it speaks to our lives today. Please contact Ann at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 549.6670, x129 for more infomraiton, or to sign up.

Reformed Institute: Look on the web site for these special offerings.

Fellowship, Study, and Prayer Groups:

Youth: This Sunday, the youth will meet at Pentagon Row to go ice-skating from 2-4 pm at 1201 South Joyce Street, Arlington, 703.418.6666; admission is $8, skate rental is $3. For more information or questions, contact Mike Campagna at 703.785.4736.

Update from the Youth Director Search Committee: The committee has prepared a survey to obtain input and guidance from members and youth regarding the Youth Program and the desirable attributes for the position of Youth Director. The survey is located on the Meeting House website (www.opmh.org). Look under “Education” And go to “Youth Program”. Follow the link to the survey. For those without internet access who would like a paper copy of the survey, contact the Church Office or Rob Dunn, Chair of the Committee, at 703-836-9000 (work) or 703-998-9196 (home).

First Sundays with the Stephen Ministers: Stephen Ministers hosts an informal time of fellowship on the first Sunday of each month for those who are experiencing a difficult or challenging time and would welcome a willing listener. We meet in the Elliot House parlor following the 11:00 am service. If you would like more information or would like to spend one-on-one time with a Stephen Minister, call Susan Grandy at 703-780-4134 or 703.299.4749.

20s30s –This group is open to all in their 20s and 30s (married, single, members, visitors, friends). Join us Monday nights for dinner and discussion at 913 Oronoco Street at 7 pm. For more info., call Mike Campagna at 703-785-4736 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mission

Are you interested in creating a greener Meeting House and helping the Meeting House become a better steward of its resouces? If so, please contact Margaret Whitesides at 703.549.1783 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you or your family would like to help recycle paper from the meeting House and the Preschool.

Concerts With A Cause: The Suspicious Cheese Lords Concert raised $2,274 to benefit St. Thomas Church, Pakistan.

The Pancake Supper raised an additional $720 to support Meeting House mission trips. Contact Camilo Bearman at 703.739.9469 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in participating in a mission trip.

Music:

Adult Choir rehearses on Thursdays, at 7:30 pm in the balcony. Everyone is welcome!

Children’s Choir’s rehearses on Sundays, in room 22, Education Building. 12:05-12:50 pm.

Churchwide News:

Photo Directory: If you haven’t already done so, please stop by the Church Office to pick up your photo directory.

Sign-up for 2008 Congregational Dinner: Join us for dinner, dancing, and a silent auction on Sun., Feb. 24 at 5:30 at The Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Rd., Alexandria. Reservations and payment must be made in advance before Sun., Feb. 17. There will be sign-up tables after the first service in Heritage Hall, before Adult Education, and during coffee hour in Fellowship Hall. You may also send your reservation check to the Church Office made payable to "OPMH" with "Congregational Dinner" in the memo. So put on your dancing shoes and join your OPMH friends for a lively evening of fun. Cost is $20 per adult; $10 ages 4-11. Overflow parking: The OPMH bus will be available to shuttle drivers from Beth El Hebrew Congregation (across Seminary Road) to the door of the dining hall. Drop your passengers off first.

This year as part of the Congregational Dinner the Silent Auction will return, with a focus on sharing talents and building community with other OPMH families. Do you have a special get-away spot at the beach or mountains that you'd like to share? How about showing off your culinary talents with a gourmet meal in your home, or by catering a special meal for another family? Introduce others to your love of sports or the arts by donating tickets to a concert, game or show. You could use your artistic talent to create jewelry, a portrait or sweater that would be cherished by another member of our church. Don't be shy, call or email Mary Lee Anderson at 703- 549-5636 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to talk about how you can help.

Lenten Study Guides: The Lenten Study Guide and Journal is available in the Narthex. A free will offering of $1 would be appreciated.

Per Capita Assessment: Our contribution to the Presbyterian Chruch, US for 2008 is $30 per active member. If you would like to cover this cost, you may use the offering envelope provided or annotate Per Capita in the memo rield on your check.